This reaction previews a broader, high-stakes Republican debate as we head toward the 2008 election. One Republican Partythe Republican Party of movement conservatives on Capitol Hill and in the think-tank worldwill argue that the "big government Republicanism" of the Bush era has been a reason for recent defeats.

Like all fundamentalists, the antigovernment conservatives preach that greater influence requires a return to puritythe purity of Reaganism.

But the golden age of austerity under Reagan is a myth.

...

As antigovernment conservatives seek to purify the Republican Party, it is reasonable to ask if the purest among them are conservatives at all. The combination of disdain for government, a reflexive preference for markets and an unbalanced emphasis on individual choice is usually called libertarianism. The old conservatives had some concerns about that creed, which Russell Kirk called "an ideology of universal selfishness." ...

I'm wondering if we should think in terms of having an efficient and working government. It was really clear that this Congress wasn't working for our interests w/their crazed spending.

I'm not trying to suggest that it will "work" under the Dems, but I'm thinking that instead of talking about how to limit government's influence, how can we work to provide services for people in a cost-effective way - to provide for the defense and security and all the things that are absolutely necessary, while eliminating wasteful programs/spending.

It isn't selfish to want government to be small and non-intrusive; however, I know that I want our government to work in the 21st century.

These are just some thoughts/ideas...I consider myself to be a Republican, but I also want government to work for me - not against me.

Severe lack of testosterone in the Party, IMO. The past six years, the wimps have been wringing their hands instead of fighting back. The only chance the country has is for the GOP to use the RAT'S tactics back on them. Obstruct, accuse, obstruct, accuse.

If you read the history of the Republican Party you will find that except for a few instances over the last 140 plus years, the party has never been a conservative party. It has been the party for conservatives but we were more or less tolerated by the liberal elites who ran the GOP.

It is worse today than at almost any other time in history. The GOP is controlled top to middle by liberal, big government ideologues and with no apparent Reagan/Goldwater type leader to lead a resurgence of the conservative wing. I believe it is time to either retake the party or move on. You don't have to form a new party or join a third party. For a start, just withhold donations and vote for only conservatives.

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